We Are The Cure Blog | Canine Cancer Information

I received a contact form one day from Christine asking if we had any running clothes in our store.  She told me that she was going to run a marathon in honor of a dog she has lost to cancer.  As our conversation via email grew, I learned more and more of her Abbey and the hurt Christine still feels from her loss.  I asked her to share her story with us, here it is:

Our yellow lab Abbey died on March 9, 2011.  She was 12 1/2 when she passed of hermangeosarcoma.

Abbey, the light of the Risi family, lost to Hemangiosarcoma

Abbey, the yellow lab

After she died, it was like a part of our neighborhood died.  She had been there since the neighborhood was built.  The community suffered a loss.  We received more cards and gifts at her passing then we did with any human family member.  My neighbors took a collection of $350 and asked us to plant a tree in our front yard in her honor.  She just touched so many lives.

We received a quick contact form today with a short message that I wanted to share with you:

We recently lost our St. Bernard, Holly, and my daughter has a blog. Today she painted the sweetest tribute to our girl Holly. I thought you might all appreciate it Her blog is Rosehilldesigns.blogspot.com (April 12, 2012 post)

Stephanie

I loved the art work it was a nice tribute and it made me smile.  We all have different ways of saying goodbye, dealing with our loss and making a tribute.  I love it when they are shared.

Abby and her certificate of courage

In December of 2005 Edward and Sharon Ostrowski adopted Abby, a female beagle, from a rescue in Illinois.  Abby was one of the many helpless animal victims from Hurricane Katrina.  Her years prior to the Ostrowski home remain a mystery; with numerous signs showing her life may have been a very rough road.  Abby settled into the good life enjoying cuddling with her new owners, playing with their 3 grandkids and her feline friend Minnie.  She is a very smart little girl and enjoys being the “owner” of her two human companions and all the comforts their home brings.

On Dec. 27, 2011 Edward called our clinic reporting that Abby’s gums around her lower incisor teeth looked inflamed.  This was the first sign that they noticed something was wrong with their little girl.  Biopsy results revealed cancer and further testing diagnosed Stage III Amelanotic Melanoma.  Edward and Sharon were devastated.

On Jan. 11, 2012 Abby underwent a Bilateral Rostral Mandibulectomy surgery at a specialty hospital, removing a portion of her lower jaw containing the cancer.  Abby is now currently undergoing chemotherapy treatments and despite all the hardships, Abby continues to be a trooper! She is able to eat well and has even learned how to chew her favorite crunchy treats. Abby had always been a familiar face at the clinic prior to her cancer diagnosis and with her more frequent visits now; she continues to melt our hearts with her sweet nature. With the loss of my own dog “Libby” to Osteosarcoma in the spring on 2010, canine cancer holds a special spot in my heart.

Libby, Megan's black Lab who inspired her to do this project!

I discovered the National Canine Cancer Foundation on-line shortly after Libby’s passing. I presented an idea to my practice owner, Dr. Gerber, that we could give our cancer patients a pink paw collar tag along with a Certificate of Courage for their fight against cancer. “ABBY” is the first to receive her tag and certificate from our veterinary clinic.

Megan Niehoff CVT

Columbus Countryside Veterinary Clinic

Columbus, WI

The 2^nd Annual Canines for the Cure Texas Agility Shoot-Out held in Fort Worth, TX, on August 13-14, 2011, was one for the history books. Once again, the North Texas agility community showed the world what can be accomplished when everyone comes together for a common good. This year the Shoot-Out once again surpassed all expectations by raising $42,300 for canine cancer research, bringing the two-year total to $71,500!! Way to go Texas!! Many of us have lost dogs to cancer, but as a direct result of the efforts of each and every person who attended the Shoot-Out, we are confident that eventually many of our canine companions will be saved from this terrible disease due to the research that we helped sponsor.

All the passionate supporters of the TX Shoot Out!!!

Each year the Shoot-Out spotlights a local dog that has been lost to cancer. Our first year we honored Ranger, the dog whose death inspired the creation of the Shoot-Out. This year, we honored Libby, an Australian Shepherd loved and missed by Pamela Meeks. Libby was an extremely shy rescue that blossomed in agility and became the first rescue dog in ASCA history to be ranked #1, and she held her #1 ranking for two years. On January 30, 2009, though, Libby lost her life to hemangiosarcoma and that loss is what drove Pamela to become an integral part of the Texas Agility Shoot-Out trial committee.

Libby

Obviously, one person, not even one club, can pull off an event of this magnitude. The core team of Christi Farley, Pamela Meeks (Fort Worth Agility Sports Team), Linda Knowles (Gold Medal Agility), and Nikki Heep had numerous individuals and clubs step up to lend a hand with an astounding 104 people volunteering to work at the trial. There were 266 handlers with 382 dogs running a total of 1,975 runs over the weekend with one handler coming all the way from Sherwood, Arkansas! We could not have pulled this event off if it were not for the agility community totally embracing the concept. Everyone – trial committee, judges, chief ring stewards, course builders, raffle organizers, memorial wall creators, raffle ticket sellers, ring crew, competitors, vendors, and anyone who bought a raffle ticket -  was an integral part of making the 2^nd Annual Canines for the Cure Texas Agility Shoot-Out a smashing success. We look forward to seeing what next year’s event will bring!

Ranger, the original inspiration dog

1.) Cancer is the cause of nearly half the deaths of older dogs (10 years and up), according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

2.) Early detection is vital. You should routinely examine your dog for any physical or behavioral abnormalities and bring your dog in for regular veterinary exams. Things to look out for include: abnormal swellings, lumps under armpits and under the jaw, sores that won’t heal, foul breath, weight loss/poor appetite/difficulty eating, difficulty breathing, or bleeding/unusual discharge from any orifice on your dog’s body.

3.) Mast cell tumors are one of the most common cancers found on and under the skin of dogs. Any breed or mixed breed can get them, but Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Boxers, Boston Terriers, Pugs, and Shar Peis have shown an increased propensity for them, according to the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM). Between 10 and 15 percent of dogs with a mast cell tumor end up getting more of them throughout their lifetime, the ACVIM reveals.

4.) Not all skin growths and masses on your dog are cancerous. Just like with humans, some tumors are benign (harmless), while others are malignant (harmful). Veterinarians confirm tumors in dogs through x-rays, blood tests and ultrasounds, and diagnose benign or malignant tumors through a biopsy, where a tissue sample is taken from the dog and examined under a microscope.

5.) Spaying and neutering reduces your dog’s risk of certain cancers. This is particularly true of uterine and breast/mammary cancer in females, and testicular cancer in males (if neutered before six months). This is important because breast cancer in dogs is fatal in about 50 percent of cases, according to the ASPCA. And let’s not forget, spaying and neutering helps control the pet population, as well.

6.) Chemotherapy isn’t just for humans. That’s right—this treatment you’ve heard about for human cancer patients is also used to put canine cancer into remission. Chemotherapy can extend the life of a dog with cancer, even canine lymphoma, and in some cases, even pose a cure. Chemotherapy damages rapidly growing cancer cells in dogs, slowing or stopping their growth entirely. The bad news is chemo can produce some rough side effects in your dog, like vomiting and nausea; however, the good news is dogs rarely lose their hair from the treatment like humans do, the ACVIM says.

7.) Cancer treatment for dogs is expensive. This is especially true of advanced treatments. You may want to consider getting a pet insurance policy when you decide to own a dog, especially if you have a high-risk breed. A pet insurance policy can give you peace of mind that you won’t go broke when obtaining the best cancer care for your dog.

This guest post is contributed by Alvina Lopez, who writes on the topics of accredited online colleges. She welcomes your comments at her email Id: alvina.lopez@gmail.com.

Congratulations to Halo, Purely for Pets

The National Canine Cancer Foundation Awards Halo, Purely for Pets Its First Award of Excellence.

Phoenix, Arizona – January 20, 2010 – With statistics showing Cancer striking 25% to 30% of our dogs, the National Canine Cancer Foundation feels as part of their commitment to finding cures and new treatments for cancer in dogs, they are rewarding companies and individuals who have gone above and beyond in their desire to consider the complete, holistic well being of pets in the operation of their company and within their products and/or services or with their actions as an individual. Halo , Purely for Pets is the very first company to be awarded the National Canine Cancer Foundation’s Seal of Excellence.

The National Canine Cancer Foundation’s Seal of Excellence is their most coveted award.  The Seal of Excellence will be awarded to only a very select few companies and/or individuals and the award is based on some of the most extensive criteria. A detailed list of the criteria can be found on the NCCF’s website by clicking here.

“I have been a big fan of Halo Pets for years and it’s very appropriate that we awarded them the very first Seal of Excellence, since some of our criteria for the Seal of Excellence was modeled after the operation and business practices of Halo,” according to Gary D. Nice, President of the National Canine Cancer Foundation.

For over two decades, Halo, Purely for Pets® (www.halopets.com) has created holistic pet products of uncompromising quality.  Halo believes nutrition is the single most important factor in the quality of a pet’s life.  Halo produces natural pet food, treats, supplements and grooming products – including the award-winning Halo Spot’s Stew, Dream Coat and Liv-a-Littles treats. Halo products are available at PETCO, Whole Foods, thousands of independent pet specialty and natural food stores, and online at www.halopets.com.

Ellen DeGeneres – a long time Halo customer — became a part-owner of Halo in 2008, saying, “because I think Halo is incredible, I decided to become part owner in hopes that all animals have the chance to be the healthiest they can be.”

“So many of us have lost four-legged loved ones to this terrible disease,” according to Halo Vice President of Marketing Communications David Yaskulka. “While we all strive for a cure, health professionals are telling us to eat natural foods, avoid harsh chemicals, and lead active, healthy lives to have the best chance of avoiding cancer. Halo customers try to do exactly that for our pets. Everyone at Halo is deeply honored to be recognized in this way.”

About the National Canine Cancer Foundation.

The National Canine Cancer Foundation (www.wearethecure.org) is a nationwide, contribution funded, 501 (c)(3) non-profit corporation dedicated to eliminating Cancer as a major health issue in dogs by funding grants directly to Cancer researchers who are working to save lives, find cures, better treatments and accurate, cost effective diagnostic methods in dealing with canine Cancer.

Its purpose is to encourage and provide grant support for basic, pre-clinical and clinical research in high impact and innovative cancer research, which is intended to develop innovative approaches to a cure, treatment, diagnosis or prevention of cancers in dogs. The program fosters collaboration between basic and clinical scientists with the intent of enhancing the transfer of basic research findings to clinical usefulness.

I was absolutely taken aback by this stunning revelation that even dogs can contract venereal diseases. Also called TVTs (Transmissible venereal tumors), sticker tumors or infectious sarcomas they usually spread by normal contact during the process of sexual intercourse. However, they can also be transferred through sniffing or contact with the tumor.

Although it can affect any dog, the unsprayed ones are more susceptible. The clinical signs may include genital bleeding in case of females and bleeding from the penis in case of males. The tumors usually develop around the genitals. But other areas that may come under attack include nose, mouth and anus. Initially, these lesions appear as fleshy edematous growths. But they aggravate quickly and the surface soon gets eroded. The tumor then comes out as dark red genital discharge. Bleeding due to the onset of tumor growth can also occur in a spayed female which is very often mistaken for normal bleeding of the heat cycle. In some animals the discharge also has a foul odor.

The physical examinations consist of visual inspection, cytology and biopsy. Due to the locally aggressive nature of these tumors, doctors opt for surgery. After the success of the surgery, vets go for chemotherapy in which vincristine is administered intravenously. The tumor is also responsive to radiation therapy in which a beam of light is projected on the tumor. This results in the local remission of the tumor.

The tumors behave well prognostically. Even in the case of metastasis the cure rate is 90%.

Can you believe there is finally a drug for the treatment of cancer in dogs? Yes, the US Food and Drug Administration has approved the first drug made specifically to treat mast cell tumors in dogs.

Until recently human oncology medicines were used to treat cancer in dogs.

This is indeed a huge breakthrough. The new drug called Palladia, has been manufactured by Pfizer Animal Health Inc.

It works by killing tumor cells and disrupting blood supply to the tumor. However, the side effects may include diarrhea, loss of appetite, lameness, weight loss and blood in the feces.

For more information on mast cell tumors you can log on to http://www.wearethecure.org/mast-cell-tumors.

It’s an art, communicating in 140 characters.  We’ve all been there, where you type out your tweet, getting the message across just right and it ends up being over the 140 character limit!   Now there’s a choice to be made in the editing, stay true to proper grade school grammar or go with Twitter slang.  It’s so tempting to  change the “for” to 4, “to” to 2.  And let’s not forget “our” to R.

Finally after a few minutes we have managed to fit the tweet into the 140 character limit and the message is complete and understood.  All that work just to get a simple tweet out.  Was it worth it?

Well, what if we made it worth it?

Have you ever dreamed of quitting your job via Twitter?  How about popping the question within 140 characters?  Just how creative have you gotten with your Tweets?  What if, instead of just getting your message across you were able to Tweet for a good cause AND win a MacBook Pro?

The National Canine Cancer Foundation has made that possible!  The NCCF has created a Tweet writing contest to challenge you to “Write the Perfect Tweet” while giving you a chance to win a prize.

The contest has several categories to challenge you to “Write the Perfect Tweet” in relationship to the subject. You pick the category you want to write and then submit it for a chance to win some great prizes and help fund canine Cancer research.

The categories are:

1. Write the Perfect Tweet for quitting your job.
2. Write the Perfect Tweet for raising money for canine Cancer.
3. Write the Perfect Tweet for a marriage proposal.
4. Write the Perfect Tweet for telling your kids there is no Santa.

You can enter as many “Perfect Tweets” as you want. The cost to enter a tweet in the contest is $5.00 for each time you submit a new tweet. The $5.00 goes to the National Canine Cancer Foundation to fund canine Cancer research. Many of the contest partners have also created a way to enter for free also!

Get creative and go to www.perfecttweet.com!

The National Canine Cancer Foundation is a nationwide, contribution funded, non-profit corporation dedicated to eliminating Cancer as a major health problem in dogs by funding grants for the scientific efforts of Cancer researchers who are working to save lives, find a cure, find better treatments, find more accurate, cost effective, diagnostic methods in dealing with Cancer, and diminishing dogs’ suffering from Cancer through research, education, advocacy, and service.  Find out more about the Foundation on www.wearethecure.org.

Here’s the deal: rawhide is literally the outside of a cow – the skin. Rawhide is not regulated in any way. Some imported brands (China, Philippines) have been reported as soaked in formaldehyde or contaminated with arsenic. These foreign hides may also contain other detrimental things such as antibiotics, insecticides, or lead- things you’d never knowingly want to ingest.

Also, choking is a hazard, and rawhide can cause canine gastric irritation when chewed on often, which can lead to vomiting and extreme discomfort.

Now the good news: there are great alternatives for purchase online. Or, thick pieces of dehydrated organic sweet potato is nutritious, delicious, and cheap if you have a food dehydrator. At the very least, buy a brand that is made in the USA and says something on the label about being natural. Good chewing!

This blog is contributed by Nadine M. Rosin, author of The Healing Art of Pet Parenthood http://www.TheHealingArtOfPetParenthood.com